In a recent twist of events, Starlink has halted new subscriptions to its internet service in Nairobi and surrounding areas. This comes shortly after last week’s quiet removal of Starlink’s roaming plan in Zimbabwe and other African countries where the service is available, an effort to curb users who had signed up illegally and require them to re-subscribe.

Starlink has stated that new subscriptions are paused due to capacity limitations on its satellites, which currently cannot handle the increasing demand in urban areas. “Nairobi and neighboring areas are currently at network capacity,” Starlink reported. “This means that too many users are trying to access the Starlink service within Nairobi, and there isn’t enough bandwidth to support additional residential or roaming customers now.”

Currently, Starlink is working to restore access for new users who want to use the service in Nairobi, Kiambu, Narok, Machakos, Murang’a, and Nakuru counties, all of which are impacted by this pause. As of June 2024, Starlink recorded over 8,000 users in Kenya, highlighting the extreme demand for satellite-based internet. The Communications Authority of Kenya ranked Starlink among the top 10 ISPs in the country and recognized it as the fastest-growing provider over the same period, showing just how rapidly Starlink has gained a foothold in the market.

Impact on Local ISPs and Regulatory Responses

Starlink’s swift growth has not gone unnoticed by local players like Safaricom, Kenya’s leading internet service provider. Safaricom, in response, has rolled out measures to stay competitive, including offering speeds up to 1 Gbps, an upgrade targeting the growing consumer appetite for high-speed internet. Furthermore, Safaricom recently urged Kenyan regulators to require satellite providers like Starlink to partner with local mobile network operators to address potential legal and interference concerns.

To keep up with the high demand in Kenya, Starlink had previously considered establishing ground stations to enhance bandwidth. Ground stations are integral to satellite internet, as they link the satellites with traditional internet infrastructure to improve data transmission speeds and reliability. Although ground stations are already operational in markets like Nigeria, Starlink has yet to confirm similar developments in Kenya. Whether and when Starlink will establish these critical infrastructure pieces remains unclear, as no official statement has been made on their progress.

User Experience and Performance Insights

User feedback highlights an urgent need for expanded infrastructure to maintain service quality. Many users in congested areas have reported speeds below Starlink’s advertised rates, with download speeds averaging in the low double digits rather than the expected high double-digit or triple-digit Mbps speeds. This discrepancy underlines the strain on the current network and the demand for increased satellite or ground-based support to meet consumer expectations.

This capacity issue isn’t unique to Nairobi. Cities in Ghana, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, and Zambia are similarly experiencing network constraints, especially in highly populated areas where demand exceeds available bandwidth. The experience across these countries underscores a common challenge for Starlink in Africa: balancing rapid consumer uptake with sufficient network infrastructure to ensure reliable service.

Future Plans and Investments to Meet Demand

The recent suspension of new subscriptions and roaming options raises questions about Starlink’s plans to meet growing demand across its African markets. To support its increasing user base, Starlink may need to invest in deploying additional satellites or ground stations to boost its network capacity. Such moves would not only address service quality concerns but also solidify its position as a top internet provider in Kenya and across Africa.

With Kenya’s growing appetite for faster and more accessible internet, Starlink’s temporary pause in subscriptions signals the importance of investing in robust infrastructure to match demand. For now, the Kenyan market eagerly awaits Starlink’s next steps, hopeful that its high-speed internet ambitions will keep pace with the needs of its users.